Dopamine, serotonin,
and norepinephrine are key neurotransmitters in the central nervous
system that regulates behavior and mobility. Studies of the mechanisms
of action and regulation of these and other neurotransmitters and
hormones at the cellular and molecular levels constitute the main goals
of our research activities. Our laboratory uses a wide variety of
techniques including animal models, cell systems, and molecular
approaches to investigate how G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR) and
neurotransmitter transporters regulate homeostasis in health and
diseases

We all know that as part of our daily lives we are constantly
interacting with our environment - learning, adapting, establishing new
memories and habits, and alas, forgetting as well. At the cellular
level, these processes can be encoded by changes in the strength of
synaptic transmission between neurons. The process by which neuronal
connections change in response to experience is known as “synaptic
plasticity” and this process is a major interest of our laboratory. Our
goals are to understand the molecular mechanisms for synaptic
plasticity and identify when these processes have gone awry in
neurological diseases. In doing so, we will establish the necessary
framework to then target these processes for therapeutic interventions;
potentially identifying novel and improved treatment options. Currently,
the lab is pursuing these questions in two areas.

The research in our laboratory is directed towards understanding the
pathogenesis of neuropsychiatric illnesses, especially schizophrenia and
neurodenerative disorders, at the molecular level. Taking advantage of
our roles in both basic and clinical departments, our approach is
multi-faceted from molecular biology and animal models, to clinical
studies using patient subject

Helen Mayberg, MD, has studied neural network models of mood regulation
using neuroimaging for more than 20 years. Mayberg's research has led to
the recent development of a new intervention for patients with severe
depression. The intervention, known as deep brain stimulation, or DBS,
is intended for those who have not had success with other treatments.

We are interested in understanding the genetic and epigenetic basis of
neurodevelopmental disorders with emphasize on genomic imprinting
disorders of Angelman syndrome and Prader-Willi syndrome as well as
autism spectrum disorder. Angelman syndrome is caused by deficiency of
brain-specific maternally expressed ubiquitin protein ligase 3A (UBE3A)
genes. There was evidence supporting that HBII-85 SnoRNAs are
responsible for the Prader-Willi syndrome. The genetic basis of autism
spectrum disorder is largely unknown but mutations in several synaptic
proteins including SHANK3 were reported in a small set of individuals
with autism spectrum disorder. We are using cutting edge genome analysis
techniques to identify genetic and epigenetic candidates for autism
spectrum disorder. We have created mouse models using gene targeting and
chromosomal engineering strategy for Angelman and Prader-Willi syndrome
as well as autism. We are modeling these disorders in mice by
application of biochemical, morphological, electrophysiological, and
behavioral analyses. Finally, we are interested in exploring the
potential of treating of Prader-Willi and Angelman syndrome by
epigenetic modifications.

A Brazilian physician and scientist, best known for his pioneering work in "reading monkey thought". He and his colleagues implanted electrode arrays into a monkey's brain that were able to detect the monkey's motor intent and thus able to control reaching and grasping movements performed by a robotic arm. This was possible by decoding signals of hundreds of neurons recorded in volitional areas of the cerebral cortex while the monkey played with a hand-held joystick to move a shape in a video game. These signals were sent to the robot arm, which then mimicked the monkey's movements and thus controlled the game. After a while the monkey realized that thinking about moving the shape was enough and it no longer needed to move the joystick. So it let go of the joystick and controlled the game purely through thought. A system in which brain signals directly control an artificial actuator is commonly referred to as brain-machine interface or brain-computer interface.